Editorial: Public need clearer explanations over Daera cattle cull incident

​Stormont needs to fill the current information vacuum over the circumstances surrounding the cull of dozens of cattle in an open field, while members of the public looked on.

There has been genuine hurt and anger among farmers and the public over the incident in June. ​

Yesterday, we learned that the Assembly committee tasked with scrutinising the actions of the agriculture department (Daera) will hold an extraordinary meeting on the matter next Monday.

Over the weekend there had been growing calls for the Daera minister Andrew Muir to appear before MLAs to outline what he and his officials know about the incident.

Yet it was almost a month before these calls gained volume, and after genuine public concern grew louder. To leave it another week before the minister and officials can be questioned will surely only add to an already tense situation.

The circumstances of this case, and the manner in which the cattle were dispatched, are quite unusual and understandably distressing.

The department says the actions of its vets, were the result of a “Court Deprivation Order on a herd belonging to a disqualified keeper, in respect of animal welfare offences”.

Daera also says that the operation was planned, and the “methodology” of the cull – shooting – was “considered the most appropriate”, taking into account the welfare of the animals, staff and public safety.

A review initiated by Minister Muir is welcome, but will undoubtedly take time. It is also welcome that the minister is likely to appear before MLAs– as any notion that the vacuum of official information could continue until after a review would be absurd.

The public needs clear information from the minister, and a sensible approach from his political rivals.